The Administration's Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis provides a national framework for reducing prescription drug diversion and abuse by supporting the expansion of state-based prescription drug monitoring programs, recommending more convenient and environmentally responsible disposal methods to remove unused medications from the home, supporting education for patients and healthcare providers, and reducing the prevalence of pill mills and doctor shopping through enforcement efforts. The plan is the culmination of six months of collaboration across the Federal government, with agencies including the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and others.

In support of the action plan, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that it is requiring an Opioids Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). The new program will require manufacturers of long-acting and extended-release opioids to provide educational programs to prescribers of these medications, as well as materials prescribers can use when counseling patients about the risks and benefits of opioid use. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 gave FDA the authority to require manufacturers to develop and implement a REMS to ensure the benefits of a drug or biological product outweigh its risks."Today we are making an unprecedented commitment to combat the growing problem of prescription drug abuse," said Vice President Biden. "The Government, as well as parents, patients, health care providers, and manufacturers all play a role in preventing abuse. This plan will save lives, and it will substantially lessen the burden this epidemic takes on our families, communities, and workforce."

"The toll our Nation's prescription drug abuse epidemic has taken in communities nationwide is devastating ," said Director Kerlikowske. "We share a responsibility to protect our communities from the damage done by prescription drug abuse. This plan will build upon our already unprecedented efforts to coordinate a national response to this public health crisis by addressing the threat at the Federal, state, and local level.""Abuse of prescription drugs, especially opioids, represents an alarming public health crisis." said Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H. Assistant Secretary for Health. "This Plan, which coordinates a public health approach with a public safety approach, offers hope and health to our Nation."

"Unintentional drug overdose is a growing epidemic in the US and is now the leading cause of injury death in 17 states," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said. "There are effective and emerging strategies out there to address this problem. Support for this action plan will help us implement those strategies which will go a long way to save lives and reduce the tremendous burden this problem has on our healthcare system and our society.""Long-acting and extended-release opioid drugs have benefit when used properly and are a necessary component of pain management for certain patients, but we know that they pose serious risks when used improperly, with serious negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.†"The prescriber education component of this Opioid REMS balances the need for continued access to these medications with stronger measures to reduce their risks."†

"DEA is committed to implementing this important and much needed action plan to reduce the demand for prescription drugs, enforce our nation's drug laws, and take back unneeded prescription drugs," said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "When abused, prescription drugs are just as dangerous and just as addictive as drugs like methamphetamine or heroin. The more we can do to stop the abuse of prescription drugs, the more effective we will be in reducing the death, destruction and despair that accompanies all drug abuse."Prescription drug abuse is our Nation's fastest-growing drug problem. The number of people who have unintentionally overdosed on prescription drugs now exceeds the number who overdosed during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980's and the black tar heroin epidemic of the 1970's combined. In 2007, approximately 27,000 people died from unintentional drug overdoses, driven mostly by prescription drugs. Additionally, a ccording to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the number of Americans in 2009 aged 12 and older currently abusing pain relievers has increased by 20 percent since 2002. Further, visits by individuals to hospital emergency rooms involving the misuse or abuse of pharmaceutical drugs have doubled over the past five years.

ONDCP is coordinating an unprecedented government-wide public health approach to reduce drug use and its consequences in the United States. This effort includes requesting an increase in funding for drug prevention by $123 million and treatment programs by $99 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2012, to train and engage primary health care to intervene in emerging cases of drug abuse, expand and improve specialty care for addiction- including care for families and veterans, and to better manage drug-related offenders in community corrections.

According to a recent report published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Children and adolescents who share family meals 3 or more times per week are more likely to be in a normal weight range and have healthier dietary and eating patterns than those who share fewer than 3 family meals together." The findings are based on information collected from 17 previous studies that included 182,836 children aged 2 to 17 years. These same children are also less likely to suffer from other disordered related eating as well as more likely to make better choices in the foods that they eat. Statistically speaking, the benefits of sharing 3 or more family meals per week includes:

a 12 percent reduction in the odds for overweight

a 20 percent reduction in the odds for eating unhealthy foods (junk foods)

a 35 percent reduction in the odds for disordered eating

a 24 percent increase in the odds for eating healthy foods (vegetables and other healthy foods)

With the sharp rise in child and adulthood obesity levels, this simple change can not only help to keep children's weight better controlled but also provide an opportunity for more family time and more opportunities for conversations with ones children.

Arlington, Va. - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reminds everyone that doctors of chiropractic can help play an important role in the prevention and treatment of many common injuries. This reminder comes as communities across the country are observing National Public Health Week 2011 (NPHW). The theme of this yearís observance - "Safety is NO Accident" - focuses on preventing injury at home, work or play. In general, doctors of chiropractic promote the value of prevention as a key component of health and wellness. They routinely provide recommendations to patients on topics such as proper lifting techniques, improving balance through exercise, workstation ergonomics and using mobile technology safely - all of which can prevent injury. This week, ACA is highlighting its library of patient information and videos offering tips on how to prevent injuries at home, work and play. Should injury occur, doctors of chiropractic offer expert examination and treatment that gets patients back to work, in the game and able to enjoy their activities of daily living. "Injuries happen in a split second, but have lasting consequences," said ACA Vice President Keith Overland, DC. "However, simple preventative measures, a healthy lifestyle and appropriate health care will reduce the number of injuries a person experiences and minimize the impact of any injuries that do occur." Since 1995, when the first full week of April was declared NPHW, communities across the country have celebrated and recognized the contributions of public health and highlighted issues that are important to improving the publicís health. The American Public Health Association (APHA) serves as the organizer of NPHW and develops a national campaign to educate the public, policy-makers and practitioners about issues related to that yearís theme. APHA creates comprehensive planning, organizing and outreach materials that can be used during and after the week to raise awareness. APHA has featured a section devoted to chiropractic and its role in public health since 1995.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that headaches have enormous costs to society and are hugely widespread throughout the world. According to the report, 47 percent of all adults have some sort of headache disorder. In the European Union (EU) alone, it's estimated that 190 million days are lost from work annually, solely due to migraine headaches. One in six women and one in twelve men are affected by migraines making it the most expensive brain disorder in the United States and EU with an estimated total annual cost of $229 billion. Doctors of chiropractic are highly trained to diagnose and treat a number of headache related disorders. In fact, many causes of headaches are soft-tissue based and can be successfully managed with safe, natural chiropractic procedures. If you experience headaches, no matter how severe or subtle, don't continue to suffer. Call your licensed doctor of chiropractic today for a professional, thorough consultation and/or examination.